(19)

(11)

EP 0 991 367 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 12.04.2000 Bulletin 2000/15 (21) Application number: 97953238.9 (22) Date of filing: 11.12.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61C 3/03, A61C 5/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US9723/140 (87) International publication number: WO 9825/536 (18.06.1998 Gazette 1998/24)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 13.12.1996 US 766787 (71) Applicant: San Diego Swiss Machining Inc. Chula Vista, CA 91914 (US)	(72) Inventors: HICKOK, Teresa, R. Bonita, CA 91902 (US) MARTIN, Claude, E. Chula Vista, CA 91913 (US) RUDDLE, Clifford, J. Santa Barbara, CA 93103 (US) (74) Representative: Gates, Marie Christina Esther et al c/o Tomkins & Co.5 Dartmouth Road Dublin 6 Dublin 6 (IE)